Obituary of Helmut Rudolf Samide

Helmut “Hank” Rudolf Samide, 82, of Clifton Park passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Kingsway Arms in Schenectady. He was born on April 17, 1942 in the in the former German speaking Duchy of Gottschee. Gottschee was part of the Austrian Empire since medieval times, and after WW1 it was incorporated into the now defunct states of Yugoslavia. Since the 1990s, the area rests under Slovenian administration. 

He came to the US at the age of 12 and worked hard to become a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School. He also went on to earn degrees from City College of New York and Union College, where he received his Geology and Civil Engineering degrees respectively. Hank began his career with General Electric and retired as a Senior Environmental Engineer for NYS, the latest stretch working in Albany.  He was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, US Army Corps of Engineers, serving honorably from Jan. 18, 1966 – Jan. 17, 1968. During that time, his expertise as a geologist was a benefit; where he worked throughout Alaska, Iceland and Greenland. Most notably was his work on “Project Iceworm” in Greenland, where he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He was a very patriotic man and served his country proudly. Hank was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Clifton Park with his wife.

 Hank was a very industrious person and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix around the house. His mechanically inclined nature even helped him build his family’s first color television! He was an avid reader and would simultaneously be working on multiple books at the same time. However, his greatest joy was being a loving husband and father. He always had time for his children and spent countless hours with Scouting, homework, athletics, and general fatherly advice. He was especially proud of his daughter Cindy’s accomplishments in the Special Olympics.

 Hank is the beloved husband of Erika Grunke Samide; devoted father of James Helmut Samide and Cynthia Pauline Samide; brother of Edward Samide (Fran) and the late John Samide, Pauline Eichorn and Marie Gerega; cherished grandfather of Colby Schee Samide and Jake Browning Samide; also survived by several nieces and nephews. In his later years, he was a doting Opa to Colby and Jake; and took extreme pride in their accomplishments in academics, athletics and community work.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 11:30 am in the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Rt. 9 Clifton Park with Pastor Amber Craig officiating.

Calling hours will be from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home, prior to the service.

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Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics New York, 94 New Karner Rd, Albany, NY 12203 in honor of his daughter Cynthia Pauline Samide.